Detroit Pistons: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

2. Rebuilding a legacy of defense

Focusing on defense will help keep the Pistons in games when their shots aren’t falling. During the Detroit Pistons’ five preseason games, they went 2-3. Only one of those losses came by a margin of more than five points. The Pistons were two possessions away from ending preseason 4-1. Last year, the Pistons’ defensive set would not have enabled them to stay in games or have a chance to win so many.

It’s one thing for Stan Van Gundy to preach defense, but having a player that preaches it as well changes the culture. There’s a culture of defense going into the season this year, and Avery Bradley has a lot to do with that.

Bradley discussed his defensive philosophy after a recent practice with Rod Beard of the Detroit News.

"“I stole the ball and kind of looked at him and it was a growl. It was the old-school kind of punking somebody,” Bradley said, matter-of-factly. “That’s my mentality. Once you cross those lines, there are no more friends. That’s what a lot of people respect about me around the league and my teammates respect about me. “[Defense] is contagious. Whenever you’re out there, defense is all effort and some technique,” he said. “You don’t have to be athletic to be a good defender; you can be smart and give 100 percent on the defensive end. That’s what coach is trying to get everyone to do, including me.”"

Stan Van Gundy plans to rebuild the Pistons’ legacy and return them to the elite ranks of the NBA, and defense is the key to doing so.

During a players only meeting, according to NBA.com, the Pistons agreed as a team they were all on board for the return of the Bad Boys and Detroit Basketball.